Association Between Weather Parameters and SARS-CoV-2 Confirmed Cases in Two South African Cities

Quantifying the impact of lockdown measures on air pollution levels: A comparative study of Bhopal and Adelaide

This research study presents an in-depth comparison of air quality in Bhopal, India, and Adelaide, Australia, focusing on the impact of COVID-19 restrictions. Utilizing air quality data from 2019 to 2022, the research analyzed the concentrations of pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3, during pre-lockdown, lockdown, and post-lockdown periods. The findings demonstrate a significant reduction in PM2.5and PM10 levels during lockdown in cities such as Delhi and Haryana in India, and various Chinese cities, while also highlighting complex sources of air pollution like bushfires in regions like Sydney, Australia. In contrast, the study revealed nuanced trends in Bhopal and Adelaide, influenced by local geographical, climatic, and anthropogenic factors. Bhopal exhibited a notable decrease in PM10 and PM2.5levels, but inconsistent patterns in NO2 and CO, while Adelaide experienced marginal changes. The study emphasizes the temporary effectiveness of lockdowns and underscores the need for region-specific, sustainable air quality management strategies. Future implications include considerations for regional specificities, broader atmospheric chemistry, and international collaboration. The research provides valuable insights for urban air quality policy formulation, stressing a data-driven, long-term approach.

Association of Meteorological Factors With COVID-19 During Harmattan in Nigeria

Harmattan is a season of dry, cold, dusty wind, and haze that is peculiar to West Africa. This season and COVID-19 share common conditions such as malaise and respiratory issues like as runny nose, cough and sneezing, and raise a question of a possible relationship that begs to be answered. This study investigated whether the meteorological factors of humidity and wind speed during harmattan have association with COVID-19 incidence and mortality in the 2 major COVID-19 epicenters of Lagos state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in southern and northern geopolitical regions of Nigeria respectively. Data used were from March, 2020 to February, 2022, which corresponded to the period of 2 years after the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Nigeria. Correlation analysis was performed using incidence or mortality data on COVID-19 over the duration of 2 years and during the harmattan periods, as well as the humidity and wind speed data for the corresponding periods. Our results showed that there was no significant correlation between the humidity or wind speed and COVID-19 daily incidence or mortality during the harmattan and non-harmattan periods in Lagos state. In the FCT however, there was a significant positive correlation between humidity and COVID-19 incidence, as well as a negative correlation between wind speed and COVID-19 incidence. No significant correlation existed between humidity or wind speed and daily mortality. Taken together, the findings of this study show that weather components of the harmattan season have association with COVID-19 incidence but not mortality, and the association could vary depending on location.

Climatic and Environmental Factors Influencing COVID-19 Transmission-An African Perspective

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 was decreed by the World Health Organization as a public health emergency of worldwide concern, the epidemic has drawn attention from all around the world. The disease has since spread globally in developed and developing countries. The African continent has not been spared from the pandemic; however, the low number of cases in Africa compared to developed countries has brought about more questions than answers. Africa is known to have a poor healthcare system that cannot sustain the emerging infectious disease pandemic. This study explored climatic and environmental elements influencing COVID-19 transmission in Africa. This study involved manuscripts and data that evaluated and investigated the climatic and environmental elements of COVID-19 in African countries. Only articles written in English were considered in the systematic review. Seventeen articles and one database were selected for manuscript write-ups after the review process. The findings indicated that there is evidence that suggests the influence of climatic and environmental elements on the spread of COVID-19 in the continent of Africa; however, the evidence needs more investigation in all six regions of Africa and at the country level to understand the role of weather patterns and environmental aspects in the transmission of COVID-19.